Knock down shelter type building structure



Sept. 13, 1955 P. D. NEAD KNOCK DOWN SHELTER TYPE BUILDING STRUCTURE 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 4, 1954 FIE 1 lOlr INVENTOR.

PHILLIP D. NEAD wiim WK Sept; 13, 1955 P. D. NEAD 2,717,429

I KNOCK DOWN SHELTER TYPE BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed March 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l g FIE--5 INVENTOR. FIE-.7 PHILLIP D. NE

,4rrozA/gys v United States Patent KNOCK DOWN SHELTER TYPE BUILDING STRUCTURE Phillip D. Nead, Cupertino, Calif.

Application March 4, 1954, Serial No. 413,993

4 Claims. (Cl. 202) .The present invention relates to a building structure of the shelter type, and pertains more particularly to a structure for use in the garden of the type commonly referred to as a barbecue house or as a beach or mountain shelter house.

It is common to provide a sheltered zone in a yard or garden for protection from the rays of the sun, and at times to provide such shelters with one or more side walls to serve as a windbreak. Shelters of this general character are in wide use through many parts of the United States, particularly in the warmer portions thereof where people tend to spend a large portion of their time out of doors.

While such shelters serve their function well in pleasant weather, they are of little or no use in inclement weather. The present invention contemplates the provision of a shelter type building which will provide'a relatively large area sheltered from sun and wind, and which can be closed up during periods of inclement weather to provide a weatherproof shelter for storage use. the invention is to provide a shelter type building having a louver type roof extending over a major portion of its area with a weather-tight roof portion in one corner thereof, side walls being provided along two angularly adjacent sides of the structure, each of said walls having a hinged outer portion adapted to swing into angularly abutting relation with the other swinging wall portion so as to' Fig. 1 is a-perspective view looking into a building embodying the present invention, a front corner post being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan view in reduced scale of the building shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical sectional view of the lower end portion of one of the roof support posts of the structure shown' in Fig. 1 when mounted on a paving slab.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the type of post mounting employed when the structure is to be mounted directly on the ground.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view taken along line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged exploded plan view of the fixed and hinged panels which enclose the weather proof portion of the structure shown-in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

Fig. 8 is an end view showing the parts of the structure when knocked down and packed together for shipment.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the structure A Another aim of port posts are furnished of a length to rest upon the top surface of the slab as shown at 10a in Fig. 3. The lower ends of the posts in such case are secured against lateral displacement by anchor bolts 18 which are embedded head-down in the slab 17, with their upper ends projecting above the slab. Each post is provided with an, axial hole 19 in its lower end to receive the upwardly extending portion of its anchor bolt 18.

If the structure A is to be erected upon alawn, howeve r,

the corner and center posts are provided of sufficient length, as, shown at 10b in Fig. 4, to permit their lower ends 20 to be embedded a desired distance, for example,

three feet, in the ground.

The two fixedly mounted wall panels 14 and 15 are disposed at right angles to each other, and swinging wall panels 21"sand 22 are mounted one on the outer edge of each fixed wall panel 14 and ISrespectively.

Each of the hingedly mounted wall panels 21 and 22 hasa drop-leaf table member 23 hingedly mounted on its inner side at a desired height. Each table member normally gravitates to upright position. along its supporting panel as shown in Fig. 6, but may be releasably supported in'horizontal'position, as shown in Fig. 1 and in' broken lines in Fig. 6, by a pair of support chains 24, 24. These chains are attached at one end thereof to the outer corners of the table and are provided with hooks 25,.25 on their other ends for releasable hooked engagement with screw eyes 27, 27 screwed into the hingedly mounted wall panels 21 and 22.

A board 28, nailed at its ends to a pair of triangular brackets .29, 29, provides a trough or rack for storing articles such as dishes, silverware, napkins and other small' articles.

A serving bar 30 is provided of a length for mounting, selectively, between the center post 13 and the outer end of one or the other of the fixed wall panels 14 or 15 as desired. The bar consists of atop member 31 supported by end boards 32, 32.v A batten 33 (Fig. 6) extends lengthwise beneath the bar top 31, and a transverse stringer 34 is nailed to extend transverselybetween the lower ends of the upright end boards 32, 32.

The outer faces of the batten 33 and stringer 34. are disposed in a common plane, and the boards 35 are nailed to these outer faces to form an apron for closing off the lower portion of the bar. The bar top 31 is slightly longer than the distance between the center post 13 and either of two 4" x 4" upright members 36 or 37 mounted, respectively, on the outer ends of the fixed wall panels 14 and 15 as will be described later herein. Thus the bar top 31 may be pushed outwardly to seat its end portions tightly against the center post 13 and one or the other of the upright members 36 or 37 as desired. The up-. right end boards 32, 32 which support the bar top .31

are spaced inwardly from the ends of the bar top as shown in'Fig. 5 to clear the sills of the fixed wall panels 14 and 15 in either selected position of the bar.

The roof assembly B consists of two generally similar half portions 38 and 39, which are constructed and shipped separate from each other, and are assembled" into a single roof unit B on the site when the structure A' (Fig. l)'is erected.

The two roof half portions 38 and 39 are of substan-'-' tially the same width as the fixed wall panels 14 and 15 and the hingedly mounted wall panels 21 and22. Thus,

the roof portions 38 and 39 and all of the side panels can be packed in side by side relation with each other and strapped together to form a convenient shipping package C (Fig. 8).

The roof half portion 38 consists of two side members 40 and 41 (Fig. 2) of equal length, and an end member 42. The side member 40, and end member 42 preferably are of two inch lumber, for example, 2" x 8", while the other side member 41 preferably is of one inch lumber of equal width. Louver rafters 43 then are nailed in equally spaced relation parallel to the end member 42 to extend between the side members 40 and 41. V The side members 40 and 41 extend beyond the last louver rafter 43 from the end member 42 as shown in Fig. 2 by an amount equal to the spacing between adjacent louver rafters 43.

The other roof half portion 39 consists of side members 44 and 45, and an end member 47 generally similar to the corresponding members 40, 41 and 42 of the first roof portion 38. However, the side members 44 and are longer than the side members 40 and 41 of the first roof half portion 38 by the thickness of a louver rafter 48 which is nailed to extend between the ends of the side members 43 and 44 opposite the end member 47. Short louver rafters 51 are nailed to extend from the header 58 to the one inch thick side member 45. These short louver rafters are spaced apart to correspond with the spacing of the louver rafters 43 of the roof portion 38.

Short rafters 53 are nailed to extend from the header to the two inch thick side member 44. The entire portion 54 of the roof to the left of the header 50 as shown in Fig. 2 is roofed over with suitable weather tight roofing material. This roofing material may be of metal or other suitable material such as a layer of plywood or boards (not shown) covered with asphaltic or other sheet roofing material of any well known type.

A one inch thick board 57 (Fig. 2) of the same width as the one inch thick end members 41 and 45 of the roof portions 37 and 38 is provided of a length equal to the combined lengths of the side members 41 and 45. When the roof structure A is assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the board 57 is fitted onto the exterior faces of the aligned side members 41 and 45 and is nailed thereto at spaced intervals throughout its length to unite the members 41 and 45 in aligned end-to-end relation and to add longitudinal strength and rigidity thereto. The endwise abutting joint between the two inch thick side members 40 and 44 is supported by the 4" x 4" upright member 36 of the fixed panel 14 and therefore does not require additional bracing for longitudinal rigidity.

The fixed wall panel 14 (Figs. 1, 5 and 7) comprises a sill 60, the upright 4" x 4" member 36 mounted on one end thereof, a 2 x 4 upright member 61 on the other end thereof, and a layer of siding boards 62 nailed to the outer sides thereof.

The 2" x 4" upright member 61 is mounted with its 4" dimension disposed at right angles to the plane of the panel 14. The siding boards 62 project beyond the 2" x 4" upright member 61 at 63 (Figs. 5 and 7) to overlap a corner upright and the siding boards of the other fixed side panel 15. The upper ends of the upright members 36 and 61 project upwardly above the siding 62 thereon to fit into the roof assembly B for nailing thereto as at 64 in Fig. 1.

The other fixed panel 15 is generally similar to the panel 14, with the exception that the positions of the 2 x 4" and 4" x 4" upright members on the panel are reversed, and the 2 x 4" member 67 of the second panel is mounted with its 4" dimension parallel to the plane of the panel and fiush with the ends of the siding boards 68 on the second panel.

The end of the sill 69 of the second fixed wall panel 15 which abuts the sill of the first fixed wall panel 14 is notched out at 70 (Fig. 7) to receive the end of the sill 68 therein. A plurality of holes 71 and 72 (Fig. 7)

are bored in aligning pairs in the 2" x 4" upright members 61 and 67 respectively. Bolts 73 (Fig. 5) are inserted in the aligned holes when the panels 14 and 15 are erected to secure these panels together at right angles to each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Upright trim strips 74 and 75 are nailed to cover the end portions of the siding boards 62 on the first fixed wall panel 14, and similar trim strips 77 and 78 are nailed to cover the ends of the siding 68 of the second fixed wall panel 15. The various trim strips mentioned herein are fitted together in a conventionalmanner to provide neatly closed corners.

Trim strips 79 and 80 also are nailed on to cover the outer ends of the siding boards 62 and 68, and to extend across the four-by-four upright members 36 and 37, respectively. A pair of hinges 81, 81 is mounted on each of the end trim strips 79 and 80 of the fixed wall panels 14 and 15, and the swinging panels 21 and 22 are hingedly mouted on these hinges.

Each of the swinging panels 21 and 22 comprises a frame 82 consisting of'a pair of upright members 83, 83 which may be of two-by-four lumber, connected by top, central and bottom transverse frame members 87, 88 and 89. A pair of diagonal cross brace members 90, 90 are provided in the upper portion of each swinging panel frame 82.

The exterior side of each swinging panel frame 82 is covered with siding 91 to correspond with the siding 62 and 68 of the fixed panels 14 and 15. The siding boards of the swinging panels 21 and 22 extend outwardly beyond their outer upright frame members 83 sufficiently, as shown at 93 (Fig. 5), to overlap the center roof support post 13 and to fit together in overlapped relation when the swinging panels 21 and 22 are swung to enclose the space 94 beneath the weather proof roof portion 54. A

hasp 95 may be provided to retain the swinging panels in their closed overlapped position and to receive a padlock (not shown) if desired.

For shipping the parts of the structure A in knocked down condition, the four wall panels 14, 15, 21 and 22, and the two roof portions 38 and 39 are placed together in side by side relation to form a package C as shown in Fig. 8. The hinged tables 23, 23 are in their lowered position as shown in Fig. 6 and the bar 30 preferably is in knocked down condition consisting of top, ends and front apron consisting of the boards 35, the batten 33 and the bottom stringer 34. These bar parts are placed between some of the larger members and the roof support posts 10, 11, 12 and 13 are fitted inbetween the long louver rafters 43 of the roof and are secured therein as by metal straps applied in a well known manner.

It is preferred to make the structure A square in plan, and when so made the long, one inch thick bracing board 57 is of a length to fit along one or the other of the roof panels 38 and 39 and may be tacked thereto to retain it in the shipping package C. The entire package, which thus includes all of the parts required to erect the structureA, then may be wrapped with waterproof paper (not shown) if desired, and banded with metal straps 97 drawn taut in a well known manner.

For erection, the parts are released for separation from each other by cutting the encircling bands 97. From the foregoing description of the building, its manner of erection will be obvious to any person capable of performing the simple operations necessary to assemble and erect the structure as shown in Fig. 1.

The structure is desirable for use in the garden where it provides a comfortable shelter for lounging or outdoor cookery during the summer, and provides a convenient weather-tight enclosure for lawn furniture, garden umbrellas and the like during the winter months.

It also may be used as a week end shelter house at the beach, lake or mountains, in which case the weatherproof zone 94 may be used to lock up the cooking and sleeping gear which otherwise would have to be transported back and forth for each trip. For use as a week end shelter, the structure preferably is somewhat larger than for garden use, a size of approximately 8 x 8' being preferred for the enclosed zone 94, for the former, while a space 4 or 5 square is sufficient for garden use.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A knock-down shelter type structure comprising a pair of fixed upright wall panels, an edge of each thereof being formed for interfitted relation with the other thereof, said fixed panels being disposed at right angles to each other, a swinging panel hingedly mounted on the outer edge of each fixed panel for swinging inwardly from a position of alignment with the fixed panel upon which it is mounted to a position wherein its free edge is in abutting relation with the free edge of the other swinging panel to enclose a rectangular space within the fixed and swinging panels, a roof of generally open construction consisting of two half portions of a combined size to cover a rectangular space two sides of which are defined by the two fixed wall panels with their swinging panels aligned respectively therewith, means for securing the roof half portions a in assembled co-extensive relation on top of the fixed wall panels with a corner of the roof substantially co-incident with the angle of abutment of said fixed wall panels, a weather tight roof portion formed to cover the space enclosed by the two fixed panels and the two swinging panels with the latter swung inwardly to bring their free edges into abutting relation, and a plurality of roof support posts mounted to support the other three corners of the roof.

2. A knock-down shelter type structure comprising a pair of fixed upright wall panels mounted in edge abutting relation at right angles to each other, a swinging panel hingedly mounted on the outer edge of each fixed panel swinging inwardly from a position of alignment with the fixed panel upon which it is mounted to a position at right angles thereto, said swinging panels being of a length to bring their free edge into abutting relation with each other in such inwardly swung position to enclose a rectangular space within the fixed and swinging panels, a roof of generally open construction consisting of two half portions of a combined size to cover the r rectangular area defined by the two fixed wall panels with their swinging panels aligned respectively therewith, means for securing the roof half portions in co-extensive relation on top of the fixed wall panels with a corner of the roof substantially co-incident with the angle of said fixed wall panels, a plurality of posts mounted to support the other three corners of the roof, a center post mounted within the angle of intersection of the swinging panels in their inwardly swung positions, and a serving bar of a length to extend from a fixed panel to the center post inwardly of the swinging panels in their inwardly swung positions.

3. A knock-down shelter type structure comprising a 6 pair of fixed upright wall panels, an upright edge of each thereof being formed for interfitted relation with an upright edge of the other thereof, said fixed panels being disposed at right angles to each other, a swinging panel hingedly mounted on the outer edge of each fixed panel for swinging inwardly from a position of alignment with the fixed panel upon which it is mounted to a position wherein its free edge is in abutting relation with the free edge of the other swinging panel to enclose a rectangular space within the fixed and swinging panels, a roof of generally open construction consisting of two half portions of a combined size to cover a rectangular space two sides of which are defined by the two fixed wall panels with their swinging panels aligned respectively therewith, means for securing the roof half portions in assembled co-extensive relation on top of the fixed wall panels with a corner of the roof substantially co-incident with the angle of abutment of said fixed wall panels, a rectangular weather tight roof portion formed to cover the space enclosed by the two fixed panels and the two swinging panels with the latter swung inwardly to bring their free edges into abutting relation, a roof support post mounted to support each of the other three corners of the roof, a center roof support post mounted to support the roof at the inner corner of the weathertight portion thereof, a serving bar mounted for insertion between the outer end of one of said fixed panels and the center roof support post, the bar being located within the said rectangular space enclosedby the fixed and swinging panels.

. 4. A knock-down shelter type structure comprising a pair of fixed upright wall panels mounted in edge to edge abutting relation at right angles to each other, a swinging panel hingedly mounted on the outer edge of each fixed panel for swinging inwardly from a position of alignment with the fixed panel upon which it is mounted, to a position at right angles thereto, said swinging panels being of a length to bring said outer edges thereof into closing relation with each other in such inwardly swung position to enclose a rectangular space within the fixed and swinging panels, a roof of generally open construction mounted to cover a rectangular space two sides of which are defined by the two fixed wall panels with their swinging panels aligned respectively therewith, weathertight means mounted to cover the portion of the roof overlying said enclosed space, said roof consisting of two separate portions each of a size to overlie onehalf the rectangular space defined by the two fixed panels when aligned therewith, one end of the joint between said roof portions being supported on the outer end of one of said fixed panels and a single unitary strip of a length to extend the entire length of the roof to overlie and conceal the other end of the joint between said roof portions, said strip being of a width corresponding to the sides of the roof portions on opposite sides of the joint.

OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Forum, September 1943, page 78. 

